Smith and Germaine Score Twice in New Years Day Road Victory for MSU Mavericks

Nicole Germaine would log her first two scores of the campaign, Photo obtained from http://www.msumavericks.com/news/2013/1/1/WHOCKEY_0101135306.aspx

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Despite the National Hockey League cancelling the Winter Classic, there is still hockey being contested. The city of Wentzville, Missouri hosted an NCAA Division I matchup between the Lindenwood Lady Lions and the Minnesota State-Mankato Mavericks. In the non-conference match (Lindenwood is from CHA, while MSU-Mankato competes in the WCHA), the home ice advantage did not favor the Lady Lions, as they were overwhelmed by a 6-1 tally.

The Mavericks opened the scoring at the 11:19 mark, as Tracy McCann buried the puck past Lady Lions goalkeeper Nicole Hensley. With less than two minutes in the opening period, Nicole Germaine would log her first goal of the campaign. She deflected a shot from Erika Magnusson past Hensley. Despite the two goal deficit, Lindenwoodoutshot the Mavericks by a 7-6 mark.

With a 2-0 lead heading into the second stanza, the Mavericks did not let up. Lauren Smith capitalized on a power play opportunity as she scored her 13th of the season to extend the lead to 3-0. Smith would contribute again as she assisted on Germaine’s second goal of the game. Germaine scored at the 8:34 mark, Natalie Stoltz also earning an assist.

Lindenwood would earn their only goal of the contest at the 13:10 mark in the second. Alyssa West scored on Danielle Butters, with assists going to Rachel Welch and Chloe Williams. Smith logged her second goal of the contest less than four minutes later. Germaine and Kathleen Rogan logged the assists as the lead became insurmountable.

Although Lindenwood had a power play early in the final frame, the Mavericks successfully nullified the penalty. Lindenwood made an effort to try and score, outshooting the Mavericks 11-9 in the frame. It would be the Mavericks that made their way back on the score sheet as Kari Lundberg scored at 14:26. She would have a strong impact in the contest, winning 13 of 16 faceoffs, tops among all skaters.

Lauren Smith led all scorers with 4 points (on 2 goals and 2 assists), while Nicole Germaine would add an assist to give her a 3 point performance. Smith earned career point number 80 to climb into third place on the Mavericks all-time scoring list. Danielle Butters was solid between the pipes as she stopped 26 shots. With the victory, MSU-Mankato improved to 7-11-3 while Lindenwood dropped to a dismal 1-15-1.